UrgentEmergency Guide
Testicular pain: Red Flags & Emergency Signs
Testicular torsion causes infarction of the testis within 4–6 hours — it is a surgical emergency and must be explored within this window to preserve fertility.
🚨 Call 999 / 112 Immediately
- ⚠Sudden onset severe testicular pain, especially in adolescents — testicular torsion until proven otherwise
- ⚠Testicular pain with high-riding testis and absent cremasteric reflex — torsion, immediate surgical exploration
- ⚠Testicular pain that resolves and recurs — intermittent torsion, elective fixation urgently
⚡ See a Doctor Today
- •Testicular pain with fever and discharge — epididymo-orchitis (STI screen)
- •Testicular pain with a hard, irregular lump — testicular cancer (urgent urology referral)
High-Risk Combinations
When testicular pain occurs together with any of these symptoms, urgency increases significantly:
Conditions to Rule Out Urgently
Testicular Torsionurgent
USS Doppler — but do NOT delay surgery to obtain USS if clinically obvious
Testicular Cancerurgent
Urgent urology; tumour markers AFP, βhCG, LDH; orchidectomy
Epididymo-Orchitisurgent
STI screen + MSU; doxycycline or ciprofloxacin
When to Call Emergency Services
- →Any sudden severe testicular pain — particularly in boys and young men
- →Do not wait for USS if torsion is clinically suspected — emergency surgical exploration saves the testis